Gurgaon: Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s closest political adviser, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel 71, passes away at Gurgaon hospital on Wednesday. The veteran politician had been at Medanta Hospital since his health worsened after a Covid- 19 infection.

In a tweet at around 4 am, his son, Faisal Patel, said that the Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat died at 3.30 am. “With profound grief & sorrow, I regret to announce the sad and untimely demise of my father, Ahmed Patel at 25/11/2020, 03:30 AM. After testing positive for Covid-19 around a month back, his health worsened further due to multiple organ failures. May Allah grant him Jannatul firdaus, inshallah,” he tweeted, requesting all their well-wishers to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings, “…also maintain social distancing norms at all times,” Faisal Patel said in the statement.

He was a staunch Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist. Ahmed Patel served as political secretary to Sonia Gandhi for years and was among the most powerful leaders in the Congress. He never joined the government, preferring to keep a low profile. He was well- known as “AP” in the Congress. He was the eyes and ears of the leadership. When Sonia Gandhi took charge of the Congress in 1997, Ahmed Patel helped her navigate tough political waters and guided her through party crises, strategic decisions and alliances.

Ahmed Patel represented Gujarat eight times in parliament – thrice as a Lok Sabha member and five times from the Rajya Sabha. His election to the Rajya Sabha for the fifth time in 2017 came after a bitter contest. He was challenged by a former party colleague who had switched to the BJP before the polls. Patel was born in Bharuch in Gujarat, which he later represented in the Lok Sabha. He joined the Youth Congress and went on to become its state president. Patel started his political career by contesting local body elections in Gujarat in 1976.

He was just 28 when he was handpicked by Indira Gandhi to contest from Bharuch in 1977. He won in 1980 and 1984 as well, but lost in 1990 as the BJP started gaining prominence. He served as parliamentary secretary to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and went on to become political secretary to his wife Sonia Gandhi. In 2018, he was appointed Treasurer of the Congress party. A quiet operator, Patel was said to be among the key movers in the Congress-led alliance that came to power in 2004 and in 2009.

condolence Messages and tributes poured in soon after the announcement of Patel’s death:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the seasoned politician, saying “his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered”, “Saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. He spent years in public life, serving society. Known for his sharp mind, his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered. Spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences. May Ahmed Bhai’s soul rest in peace,” PM Modi tweeted.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said she has lost an “irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend”. “I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress party,” Gandhi said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Patel a “pillar of the Congress party”. “He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset. We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family,” Mr. Gandhi tweeted.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Patel was an experienced colleague to whom she “constantly turned for advice and counsel”. “…he was a friend who stood by us all, steadfast, loyal, and dependable to the end,” she tweeted.